Parents of a child who prefers simple flavours
If your child often refuses mixed dishes or seasoning, plain rice lets you choose separately what to serve with it. Adjust the portion to their age and appetite, as Manger Bouger advises.
Who is this choice for?
Parents comparing calories without looking for a diet
Calories per 100 g help you compare recipes, but the amount on the plate matters too. Manger Bouger advises against weight-loss diets for children.
Households keeping an eye on ingredients and allergens
A rice dish with added ingredients may contain things that aren’t found in plain rice, including egg or milk. If your child needs to avoid an allergen, check the recipe and the information on the packaging of the product you choose.
What should you look for?
Start with a recipe your child is likely to accept, then compare the nutritional values on a like-for-like basis and adjust the portion you serve. For children aged 4 to 11, Manger Bouger notes that portions depend on factors including age and appetite.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Taste and texture | Check whether the recipe is plain or seasoned, and look out for ingredients that may be visible in the rice. | If my child refuses mixed dishes, I look for a flavour and texture they’ll accept. Around 42% of consumers in this situation would make acceptance their priority. |
| Calories and portion size | Compare the calories per 100 g, then relate them to the amount you plan to serve rather than to the whole pack. | I want to compare recipes without putting my child on a diet. Around 33% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Convenience and ingredients | Check the ingredients list, allergens, any ‘may contain’ warnings and the preparation instructions. | When I’m preparing a quick meal, I also need to check that the recipe meets my household’s dietary requirements. Around 25% of consumers would put this need first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing fewer calories with a diet for a child
The calorie count per 100 g doesn’t tell you what portion is right for your child or what else is in the meal. Manger Bouger advises against weight-loss diets for children.
Use calories to compare recipes on the same basis, then tailor the meal to your child’s age and appetite.
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Comparing whole packs only
Two packs of different sizes won’t necessarily provide the same serving size.
Compare the values per 100 g first, then take into account the number of grams you actually plan to serve.
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Overlooking the ingredients in a rice dish with added ingredients
The Ben’s Original Cantonese rice featured by Carrefour France contains egg, milk and ham, among other ingredients. So a recipe your child likes the taste of may not suit your household’s dietary requirements.
Read the ingredients and allergen information for the variety you’re buying. If you need to control exactly what’s added, consider plain rice and add other ingredients separately.
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Relying on conflicting nutritional information
If the kJ and kcal figures on the same product listing don’t match, they won’t give you a useful way to compare the product with other rice dishes.
Check the nutritional values on the packaging before using this product in a calorie comparison.
Brands to compare
Ben’s Original
The range includes plain express rice and seasoned recipes. Your choice will depend in part on the flavours your child accepts and which ingredients you need to check.
- Carrefour France listings give 162 kcal per 100 g for Long Grain 3 min and 156 kcal per 100 g for Cantonais 2 min.
- The Cantonais recipe contains egg, milk and ham, among other ingredients; it isn’t made with the same ingredients as the plain rice.
Carrefour Classic
The Méditerranéenne express recipe combines rice with tomato and herbs, making it an option for children who are happy with a seasoned flavour.
- The Carrefour France listing gives 148 kcal per 100 g for this recipe.
- It also contains oil, sugar and salt, among other ingredients. The calorie count doesn’t replace checking the ingredients or choosing an appropriate portion.
Céréal Bio
The Mediterranean-style cooked rice is made with wholegrain Camargue IGP long-grain rice and tomato. Bear its texture in mind if your child prefers white rice.
- The Carrefour France listing describes a recipe made with organic ingredients.
- Check the packaging for the energy values and any allergen trace warnings before comparing or choosing this recipe.
Rice available on Joybuy
These ready-to-heat rice options offer two possibilities for this meal: a plain flavour to serve with accompaniments your child prefers, or a tomato recipe. Compare the nutritional information and allergens on the packaging for the variety you choose, then decide how much to serve.
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Ottogi Cooked Rice, 210 g, pack of 3
An option if your child accepts plain rice and you’d like to choose the other parts of the meal separately.
The product title states 210 g and a pack of 3. Check the exact pack contents and how much you plan to serve.
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OTOKI Cooked Rice Cup, 210 g
This cup of plain cooked rice may suit a child who prefers a recipe with no stated seasoning, while you put the rest of the meal together separately.
The cup is listed as 210 g, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should serve your child the whole amount.
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Ben’s Original Express, tomato and olive oil rice, 220 g
Worth considering if your child accepts a tomato recipe rather than plain rice. Check the ingredients list and allergen information for this variety.
The listed pack size is 220 g. To compare the calories with other recipes, use the per-100 g values shown on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Is lower-calorie rice suitable for helping a child lose weight?
No. Comparing cooked rice dishes shouldn’t turn into a weight-loss diet for your child. Manger Bouger advises against these diets for children. Instead, adjust portions to their age and appetite, and speak to a health professional if you’re concerned about their growth or weight.
Should I compare calories per 100 g or per whole pack?
First compare the calories per 100 g to put two rice dishes on the same basis, then take into account the amount you’ll actually serve. A whole pack won’t necessarily be the right portion for a child.
How much rice should I serve a child aged 4 to 11?
Adjust the amount to your child’s age and appetite rather than automatically serving the whole pack. For starchy foods, Manger Bouger gives an average guide of a portion close to the size of the child’s fist, but this isn’t a fixed amount you must serve.
What should I look for on the label of pre-packed cooked rice?
Check the product name, ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the specific recipe you’re buying. The DGCCRF notes that the labelling of pre-packed food sold in France includes, among other things, a product name, an ingredients list and a nutrition declaration.